THE LOUP CITY RIOT, 1934

During the Depression low farm prices, accompanied by dust
storms and drought, created unrest
among farmers and workers in Sherman County and across Nebraska.
The Farm Holiday
movement, which encouraged farmers to withhold agricultural products
from the market, was
active. Representatives of left-wing political groups arrived
to promote their own programs for
economic recovery. In Loup City the People's Standard,
edited by A. E. Brunsdon, endorsed
local farmer and worker complaints.

Violence erupted in Loup City on June 14, 1934, after rumors
spread that women poultry
workers at the Fairmont Creamery plant might strike for higher
wages. Ella Reeve "Mother"
Bloor of the American Communist Party, and a group of associates
then in Nebraska, organized a
demonstration of support on the courthouse lawn. A march from
there to the creamery and back
culminated in a clash with local residents. The resulting jail
sentences and fines levied upon
Mother Bloor and others in her group marked the end of the attempt
by the far left to organize
farmers and workers in Nebraska.

Sherman County Historical Society
Nebraska State Historical Society
Nebr. 58 and 92, County Courthouse Loup City
Sherman County
Marker 393